A YORK regeneration scheme leader has agreed with national findings that residents may be left out of projects on their own doorsteps.

Judith Jones, manager of the North Clifton regeneration project, said they had already changed the way some of its work was done after residents raised concerns.

She broadly supported conclusions from Goldsmith's College researchers working for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

They suggested that communities are diverse, and that local interests may conflict with each other.

If a community is seen as homogenous, say the findings, only the most powerful voices may be heard.

Judith said: "I firmly believe it's wrong to take big areas and think everybody in the area has similar needs and aspirations. You need to make sure there is sufficient room in the project to ensure people's voices can be heard."

She said the steps they took included providing people with training to allow them to participate.

The research also found residents may feel there is a gap between rhetoric demanding community participation in regeneration schemes, and reality.

The researchers recommend that area regeneration chiefs should take regular audits of whether their efforts are being perceived to be working, and that any bids for funding should involve the community.

Judith said there was consultation with local people on their priorities when the funding bid for the Clifton project was made.

There were residents on the project's executive committee and on the various working groups that carried out its work. When concerns were raised that there were too many professionals on one of the groups, they discussed the matter with local people and increased the proportion of residents. She added that they also ran audits on the degree of community involvement in their scheme.

"We don't sit back and think we get it right all the time - I think that's a very dangerous position to take," Judith said.

Anyone who wants to get involved with the project can contact them at the Community House at 23 Burton Green, telephone York 672825, between 8.30am and 1.30pm Monday to Friday.